Thursday, December 3, 2015

Throwback Thursday | From the Needles of Pat Rogovin.

...this has been one of my favorite sweaters for almost 35 years. My mother-in-law knit it for me when I was in college. I remember wearing it with either a navy or pale yellow turtleneck, navy cords and clogs.

Fast forward about 20 years, and Katie wore it when she was in high school.

Fast forward another five years, and so did Sara. You'll have to trust me on that point since I couldn't find a photo!

The sweater came back to me a few years ago. I washed it and carefully put it away along with a huge pile of other sweaters from Pat's needles. Those were mostly for Katie, a few for Sara, but this is the only one that was for me.

I pulled it out a few weeks back and today I wore it. with a white crew neck tee, dark wash jeans, navy flats and - of course - pearls! (I wonder what 20-year old me would think about the styling?!)

It brought a huge smile to my face - bright green might be a color I should wear more often! or more likely, it's wearing a sweater knit especially for me - and one that I shared with both my girls. I love that it's still in style (although the body is a bit short for my "middle aged" fit - I'm thinking I'll re-block it - good wool might just accommodate me!).

Sadly, Pat doesn't knit much any more; she celebrated her 80th birthday last year and has bad arthritis in both hands. But she made me a Knitter. My grandmothers were certainly both knitters and I'm grateful to them for teaching me the basics of knitting and purling. But Pat taught me about yarn shops and "nice" yarn and needles, reading patterns, Vogue Knitting, seaming ... and ultimately knitting sweaters. Trips to visit Marc during summer or winter breaks meant knitting at their kitchen table (with plenty of Red Zinger tea) and - if my budget allowed - trips to the yarn store. Her encouragement and example were just what I needed. and for that, I'm so very grateful.

12 comments:

I remember that sweater! I also remember the home phone (!!!!) Katie is talking on and that bedding. I will vouch for you and say that I definitely *think* I remember wearing this. Looks pretty fab on you.

I love this sweater story! It is sad that Pat can't knit much, but the fact that she knit such a lovely sweater that it was worn by two generations, is still wearable after 35 years, and was a wonderful knitting mentor is incredibly special. My mil knit a fair isle sweater for me with almost the same shade of green in it when I was in college; I'll have to look though my cedar chest and see what I can find. Thanks for sharing!

What a great story! It's a beautiful sweater and looks wonderful after 35 years. I love that, as you say, it was knit specially for you and shared with your daughters. Pat sounds like a special lady and your description of the times you spent with her remind me of my grandmother. And by the way, it is a very flattering color for you!

The sweater looks great on you! And the story is wonderful. Obviously your girls appreciated a beautiful piece as well! (And the turtleneck phase...don't miss those confining things!) I wore my pearls with a grey tee shirt on Thanksgiving and thought of you!